The second I became a mom I was immediately aware of the million different directions I would be pulled in when it comes to my children’s health. Breastfeeding or bottle feeding, to vaccinate or not to vaccinate, cloth vs. disposable diapers, co-sleeping…or not. The list is endless.

It does not help the matter when we our so-called experts have a difference in opinion. Last week fellow blogger Stacy-Ann Gooden reported on a recent ADA recommendation. The American Dental Association is now stating that children should be getting fluoride toothpaste the second a tooth pops through, as early as six months. Previously they had recommended brushing with only water until the age of two.

The ADA did mention that too much fluoride could lead to tooth discoloration- but they failed to mention the more serious repercussions that come with an excess of this chemical. Forbes recently outlined a study done involving neurotoxins that lead to developmental delays and behavioral problems. And you guessed it, fluoride was on the list.

Fluoride was one of eleven harmful chemicals named by this study and has been shown to lower a child’s IQ by 7 points. Not only do toxins like these affect IQ, they have also been linked to ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.

Dr. Gwen Dewar states, “Fluoride is often added to our drinking water to decrease the rate of dental cavities. Tooth decay can cause serious health problems, including heart infections. But there is also fluoride in toothpaste, and some dentists recommend that at-risk children get regular fluoride varnishes on their teeth to keep decay from spreading. Which has prompted several parents to ask me: At what point might a child be getting too much fluoride?”

A British study found children between the ages of four and six were ingesting twice the recommended amount of fluoride. And this doesn’t take into account that America fluorinates it’s water more than European countries.

How do we make sure we only expose our children to the optimal level of potentially harmful chemicals? I guess it’s a crapshoot. If we end up making our children dumber at least they will have fabulous teeth in the long run (I’m kidding!).

RECENT POSTS:

6 Responses to Fluoride: good for babies’ teeth, bad for their brain?

aleemasays:

February 20, 2014 at 9:05 am

I know this may be slightly off topic but tea contains a lot of fluoride as well. For breastfeeding mothers who drink tea, does a substantial amount of fluoride pass from mother to baby via the breast milk? I love tea and I’m breastfeeding!

Kristensays:

February 20, 2014 at 10:30 am

My children will be getting fluoride toothpaste once they can show me that they will spit it out and rinse well. Until then, they’re using fluoride-free toothpastes. Also, we don’t drink tap water due to the many things in it (pharmaceuticals, hormones, chloride, and fluoride). We currently use spring water, but I’d like to get a reverse osmosis filter since, for some reason, in the USA, spring water containers don’t tell you which minerals are in it — some spring water contains fluoride as well. In Europe, they list the mineral content.

CPMsays:

February 20, 2014 at 10:30 am

I live in Portland, Oregon were they don’t fluoridate the water. Recently the people of Portlandia, thankfully, denied the bill that would fluoridate the water. Being pregnant, I was upset that it was ever considered. Babies, even when teething don’t need fluoride. Why give an unnecessary chemical to our children to preserve teeth, but destroy their brains, that will fall out during adolescents anyhow, they only have one brain. Teaching proper dental care is the first step to maintaining healthy teeth. Consider this, how does drinking fluoridated water help your teeth? I would think the water, much like getting a fluoride treatment at the dentist, would need to remain on the teeth for several minutes. It’s unfortunate that people in other areas have no choice and don’t have a say regarding the quality of the water they drink. It’s known to many parents that its not safe and these parents spend extra on filtered water, some families don’t have that option or may not be aware of the problem because they have been manipulated by the media and their own dentists. Fluoride does occur naturally in nature but that is not what they are putting in the water. What’s in the water is a chemical by-product obtained by other methods that companies are making money off of. I have even noticed nursery water at Babies R us that states right on the front label that fluoride is added, like its a good thing. Please consider the dangers of fluoride when you have children, there is a ton of information out there. Be smart and research for yourself and make good decisions.

Fluoridation is ineffective, harmful and a waste of money. People need to educate their families and neighbors about fluoride’s adverse effects, start petitions opposing fluoridation and take as many people as you can, along with a fist full of fully signed petitions, to your local governing body and demand they stop endangering your health and wasting your taxdollars and stop fluoridation, Also inform your state legislators its time a law is passed to ban the use of public water supplies as a vehicle for delivering drugs such as fluoride.

I just found a research that links fluoride to different mental disorders. Dentists always say it is good though. How can we find that golden line then?

Tressasays:

November 18, 2014 at 6:12 am

I was unaware about the side-effects of fluoride until my dentist referenced about it, when I went for the checkup of my girl, Eleeza, at Dr. Sam Gupta’s clinic, Mount Royal Dental (Burlington). At first, I was shocked to hear that almost every toothpaste contains fluoride and most of other consumable products contains it. I took care of the products that was used by my girl, after that. I made sure everything consumable was free of fluoride and other harmful chemicals.
I may be over reacting but I’m really afraid and cautious when it comes to my kid.

Hot Topic

Even though the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter, Daylight Saving Time is quickly approaching! On Sunday, March 8th at 2:00am, most of us will turn our clocks ahead one hour. Here are some tips that you can implement now to help you and your baby make a smooth transition as we “spring forward.”… Read more »